Cost of Living in Australia for students in 2025!

Overview of Living Costs in Australia for International Students

Being home to some of the top universities in the world, Australia is a highly preferred study abroad destination for students from all around the globe. While it provides high-quality, unparalleled education, there is no denying that it can be a little expensive, especially for international students.

With average tuition fees starting from AUD 22,000 per year and average student accommodation costs ranging between AUD 200 and over AUD 400 per week, the cost of living in Australia is significantly higher for international students.

Additionally, the official minimum requirement for a student to sustain their life in Australia, as per the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), is around AUD 29,710 per year, which can be a significant financial burden for some.

Also Read: Australia Intakes 

Average Costs for UG and PG Programs in Australia

In Australia, the tuition cost highly depends on three factors: the courses, the level of the program, and, most importantly, the university. To help navigate these options, many students use a course finder to compare programs and institutions based on tuition fees and academic offerings. Considering all these factors, on average, an international student can expect to pay around AUD 20,000 to AUD 40,000 per year.

However, many universities also provide numerous financial aid and scholarships to non-native students. This can reduce the tuition fees of even the most expensive universities, such as the University of Melbourne, significantly. 

Below is a general guide for UG and PG tuition fees and how much they contribute to living cost in Australia. Check out:

• Average tuition fees for UG courses:AUD 20,000 to AUD 45,000 per year, as per Times Higher Education.
• Average tuition fees for PG courses:AUD 22,000 to AUD 50,000 per year, as per Times Higher Education.

Field of Study	Average UG Tuition (AUD/year)	Average PG Tuition (AUD/year)
Arts & Humanities / Social Sciences	20,000 - 40,000	28,000 - 45,000
Business & Commerce	25,000 - 45,000	30,000 - 50,000
Engineering & Technology / IT / CS	30,000 - 50,000	35,000 - 55,000
Science	32,000 - 45,000	32,000 - 50,000
Medicine & Health Sciences	30,000 - 80,000	40,000 - 80,000
Law& Legal Studies	35,000 - 50,000	35,000 - 55,000
Education & Teaching	25,000 - 40,000	30,000 - 45,000
MBA/ Executive Programs	-	45,000 - 75,000
PhD	-	18,000 - 42,000

Cheapest Universities in Australia for Indian Students

With high living cost in Australia for international students, studying in a private university with high tuition fees can become financially challenging. However, there are some great public universities that offer exact quality education as some of the top private colleges in Australia, but are much more affordable.

Using a College findertool can help you explore these options more easily. Below is a list of affordable universities in Australia, along with their tuition fees in 2025, for international students to consider!

University	Average UG Tuition (AUD/year)	Average PG Tuition (AUD/year)
UNSW (University of New South Wales)	27,000 - 50,000	37,000 - 49,000
University of Divinity	14,000 - 16,800	16,000 - 17,000
Charles Sturt University (CSU)	From 16,000	From 20,000
University of Southern Queensland (USQ)	From 22,000	From 24,000
University of the Sunshine Coast (USC)	22,000 - 24,300	22,500 - 28,500
Charles Darwin University (CDU)	20,000 - 25,000	22,000 - 29,000
Federation University Australia	21,000 - 23,000	23,000 - 27,000
Southern Cross University (SCU)	20,000 - 28,000	23,000 - 30,000
University of New England (UNE)	21,000 - 25,000	22,000 - 30,000
Edith Cowan University (ECU)	From 25,000	From 28,500
Griffith University	22,000 - 33,000	25,000 - 40,000
CQ University Australia (CQU)	19,000 - 23,500?	24,000 - 30,000
Western Sydney University (WSU)	21,000 - 26,000	23,000 - 30,000
University of Tasmania (UTAS)	21,000 - 35,000	23,000 - 35,000
University of Adelaide	25,000 - 35,000	28,000 - 40,000

Additional Costs for International Students

Beyond tuition, there are also additional costs like accommodation, utilities, transport, and much more that significantly contribute to the high cost of living in Australia. Understanding these additional expenses and creating an adequate budget around them can help a lot, as more than 61% international students in Australia fall into financial hardship.

Below is a general idea of how much these additional expenses can cost and what students can expect when it comes to everyday living cost in Australia. Discover below:

Accommodation

Apart from the tuition fees, accommodation is another significant expense that takes up around 30%-40% of a student’s monthly payments. On Average, a student can expect to pay AUD 100 – 280 per week for rent. However, the average cost of a student accommodation in Australia depends on two main factors: the type of accommodation and the city.

For example, cities like Melbourne and Sydney might have higher rent than Adelaide or Perth. Similarly, Private accommodation might be more expensive than shared ones, where you can equally split the bill.

Below is a comparison of the monthly costs of different types of student accommodation in Australia:

Accommodation Type	Average Cost (AUD/week)
On-campus housing (halls, colleges, university apartments)	AUD 90 - 280
Hostels & guesthouses	AUD 90 - 150
Homestay	AUD 110 - 325
Shared rentals	AUD 150 - 250+
Private rentals	AUD 165 - 440
Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) / Student housing	AUD 20

Food and Groceries

On average, you can expect to spend around AUD 70 to AUD 150 per week on groceries and food in Australia. However, you can also significantly reduce your overall cost of living in Australia per month by cooking your meals rather than eating out.

In addition to this, you can also shop from an affordable place like Aldi for consistent savings, and use Coles and Woolworths for their weekly specials. You can also use your student ID to get additional discounts at Flybuys.

Transportation

For transportation, you can expect to pay around AUD 80 to AUD 150 per month, depending on the city. However, in Australia, students also get concessions on public transport, which can reduce the fares and make the cost of living in Australia affordable. In addition to this, you can also get weekly passes, which cost around:

• Melbourne:In Melbourne, you can get a monthly Myki pass, which can cost around AUD 60-80.
• Sydney:Has Opal fares, and they can cost around AUD 30-50 per week.
• Perth:You can get a SmartRider card in Perth, which offers up to 40% discounts for students.
• Brisbane: The Go Card provides 50% discounts to students and costs around AUD 85 per week.

Utilities

Utilities like electricity, water, gas, and internet can easily cost you AUD 150 to 250 per month. But some student accommodation options, like on-campus housing, generally include these in the rent itself. So when looking for a place, be sure to check if utilities are included in the rent.

If they are omitted, then you will have to pay additionally, which can increase the cost of living in Australia per month. There are also multiple factors, like location, housing type, and usage habits, that can affect the utility costs. Below is a breakdown of how much different utilities might cost you monthly:

Utility Type	Estimated Cost Range
Electricity & Gas (combined)	AUD 80 – 200
Water (if separate)	AUD 20 – 60
Internet	AUD 40 – 80
Mobile Phone Plan	AUD 15 – 45
All Utilities (typical)	AUD 150 – 250

Other Expenses

Apart from all the significant costs, you can also expect to pay for entertainment and miscellaneous items, which can add an extra AUD 200 – 300 per month to your overall living cost in Australia. These include things related to leisure, entertainment, mandatory healthcare, Student Services & Amenities Fee, and other personal expenses.

Below is a breakdown of all of these and how much you can expect to pay:

Type of Expense	Monthly Estimated Cost
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)	25 per month (approx.)
Textbooks & Study Materials	42 - 125 per month
Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF)	30 - 61 per month
Household Items (bedding, kitchenware)	20 - 50
Entertainment & Leisure	80 - 150+ per week (320 - 600 monthly)
Personal Expenses (toiletries, clothing)	50 - 100+

Cost of Living in Australia Per Month City Wise

Since the average cost of living in Australia mainly depends on the city, we have compiled a list of the top student cities in Australia and the average cost of living in each city for a student.

City	Monthly Cost (AUD)	Major Universities
Melbourne	1,400 – 2,800+	· University of Melbourne · Monash University · RMIT University
Sydney	1,500 – 3,000+	· University of Sydney · UNSW Sydney · UTS
Brisbane	1,200 – 3,000	· University of Queensland · QUT · Griffith University
Adelaide	1,100 – 2,200	· University of Adelaide · UniSA · Flinders University
Perth	1,200 – 2,400	· University of Western Australia · Curtin University · Murdoch University
Canberra	1,200 – 2,200	· Australian National University (ANU) · University of Canberra
Hobart	1,000 – 1,800	· University of Tasmania
Gold Coast	1,100 – 2,000	· Griffith University (Gold Coast campus) · Southern Cross University
Newcastle	1,000 – 2,000	· University of Newcastle

Available Financial Aid for International Students in Australia

As mentioned earlier, most universities in Australia also provide scholarships and financial aid to international students. These can help in managing the cost of living in Australia for Indian students, as most of them are fully funded and even cover living expenses, accommodations, and travel costs. A few scholarships and financial aid include:

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Coverage
Australia Awards Scholarships	Citizens of selected developing countries (mostly Asia-Pacific, Africa, Middle East)	Full tuition, return airfare, establishment allowance, living expenses, OSHC
ACIAR Fellowships	Postgrad students from developing countries in agriculture & related fields	Full funding
University of Melbourne	Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship	Full or partial tuition
University of Sydney	Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship	Up to AUD 40,000
University of Queensland (UQ)	UQ International Scholarships	AUD 10,000+
Monash University	Monash International Merit Scholarship	Up to AUD 50,000
Australian National University (ANU)	ANU Global Diversity Scholarship	AUD 15,000
Rotary International	Rotary Peace Fellowship	Full tuition & living
The Fulbright Program (US students only)	Varies	Full or partial funding

How International Students Can Budget Expenses in Australia?

There are multiple ways to reduce the average cost of living in Australia for students. Some of the best ways international students can budget their overall finances are by:  

1. Getting a Part-Time Job: Students with a subclass 500 student visa are allowed to work 48 hours per fortnight, which can play a significant role in managing monthly expenses.
2. Going for Shared Housing:Tuition and accommodation are two of the major expenses while studying abroad. To reduce the accommodation cost, opt for a shared house where you can split the rent.
3. Avoid Eating Out:Instead of going out to eat every day, try to cook at home and shop smart. There are many budget-friendly supermarkets like Aldi, Coles, and Woolworths that provide affordable groceries.
4. Use Public Transport: Go for public transport and get a student-specific travel card like an Opal Card in Sydney or a Myki card in Melbourne. This will give you discounted fares on buses, trains, and trams.
5. Student Discounts: Lastly, to reduce the living cost in Australia for international students, take full advantage of student discounts at stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Also Read: MBA In Australia Fees For Indian Students

Conclusion

In conclusion, not every city in Australia has the same cost of living, while major cities like Sydney and Melbourne can be a little expensive. Places like Adelaide, Hobart, and Brisbane are relatively affordable and provide similar high-quality education. Once you understand the Cost of Living in Australia and how much expenses like accommodation, healthcare, and transport cost, you can easily create a financial safety net that will help you manage your finances.

If you want to know more about study in Australia, then you can connect with our expert study abroad consultant at Gradding. They will help you with university selection, application guidance, scholarship advice, and most importantly, financial planning. Connect today!

FAQ’s

Ques1. What is the Cheapest City in Australia for International Students to Live?

Hobart and Adelaide are the cheapest cities in Australia for international students to live in. These have a significantly lower rent and daily expenses as compared to any major capital of Australia. Other affordable options include student cities like Perth, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast. 

Ques2. Is Australia costly for Indians?

Yes, because the annual cost of living in Australia for a single student can be anywhere between AUD 40,000 and AUD 80,000. This converts to INR 22-44 lakhs per year, which may be a bit expensive for Indian students. However, this mainly depends on the area and city, with cities like Sydney and Melbourne being more expensive than Brisbane or the Gold Coast.

Ques3. What are the Tuition Fees at Australian Universities?

For an international student, the average tuition fees for Australian universities can range between AUD 20,000 - 45,000 per year for UG and somewhere between AUD 22,000 - 50,000 per year for PG courses. At the same time, the tuition fees for top Australian universities can range from AUD 30,000 to 50,000 per year.

Ques4. Can I Work While Studying in Australia?

Yes, most students on an Australian student visa (Subclass 500) can work while studying in Australia. However, they are only allowed to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during their course of study, and there are no work restrictions during study breaks.

Ques5. Is Australia more expensive than the United States?

No, Australia is not more expensive than the US for students. While some Australian cities can be expensive than a few in the US, in general, the United States is considered to be more expensive. However, a public university in Australia might be cheaper than a private university in the US. Still, students can avail themselves of significant financial aid in the US, which can reduce their overall cost of living.